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First Look: Men of 'Magic Mike' get patriotic for strip routine

December 26, 2011 | 12:15
pm

The Ministry made its Christmas list and Santa Claus checked it twice -- the Internet has given unto us a first look at Warner Bros' "Magic Mike."

Chronicling the shenanigans of a pack of male strippers, based on the life experiences of Channing Tatum in his pre-Hollywood days, the first image delivers the film's hunky stars working an Uncle Sam routine on the stage.

The still boasts "True Blood" werewolf Joe Manganiello, Alex Pettyfer, newly engaged Matthew McConaughey and Tatum (we can't see you, fella cut off in the far right corner of the above photo, but we like you already). It's directed by "Traffic" filmmaker Steven Soderbergh.

Filmed in Los Angeles and Florida, the project does feature a tone other than lean muscle.

"It's so funny," Manganiello told us in October. "It's like 'Animal House' and 'Hangover' funny. Steven has most of it edited and he's such a good storyteller with that camera."

"Mike" is expected sometime in June. Consider pre-coverage from the Ministry the gift that keeps on giving until it hits theaters.